Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ezekiel
BoyHebrew· “God strengthens”
- Meaning
- God strengthens
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ih-ZEE-kee-uhl
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #61
- US babies 2025
- 5,091
- Best rank
- #48 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Ezekiel
Ezekiel is a Hebrew name that means “God strengthens”.
Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew Yechezqel, meaning "God strengthens" or "God will strengthen". In the Hebrew Bible, Ezekiel is one of the major prophets, a priest who lived among the exiles in Babylon; the book bearing his name includes the famous vision of the valley of dry bones. Puritan families in England and colonial America favored the name, and it has since returned as part of the revival of weighty Old Testament names. Ezekiel has a distinctive rhythm and an uncommon z sound that give it energy. Zeke is the classic nickname and feels cheerful and down-to-earth, balancing the gravity of the full name.
Popularity over time
Ezekiel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 109 different years. Its best national rank was #48 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,053 babies. In 2025, 5,091 babies were named Ezekiel, and it ranked #61 nationally. That is 81% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #951 in 1920, #1,042 in 1950, #810 in 1980, #357 in 2000, #212 in 2010, and #61 in 2025. Of the 83,605 US boys named Ezekiel since records began, 40% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 30,377 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kai, Maverick, Walker, Theo, and Micah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ezekiel ranked highest in Hawaii, New Mexico, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #6 | 40 |
| New Mexico | #9 | 66 |
| Arizona | #13 | 228 |
| Nevada | #15 | 77 |
| California | #20 | 1,089 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ezekiel is usually pronounced ih-ZEE-kee-uhl, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Ezekiel
A few middle names that flow with Ezekiel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ezekiel
Similar names
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GAY-bree-uhl
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nuh-THAN-yuhl
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IZ-ree-uhl
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rah-fy-EHL
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Ezequiel Boy
eh-seh-KYEHL
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nuh-THAN-yuhl
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AY-dree-el
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Michael Boy
MY-kuhl
“who is like God?” · Hebrew
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Lists that include Ezekiel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ezekiel mean?
Ezekiel is a Hebrew name that means “God strengthens”.
What is the origin of the name Ezekiel?
Ezekiel has Hebrew roots. Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew Yechezqel, meaning "God strengthens" or "God will strengthen".
Is Ezekiel a popular name?
Yes. Ezekiel ranked #61 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Ezekiel a boy or girl name?
Ezekiel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ezekiel?
Ezekiel is usually pronounced ih-ZEE-kee-uhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings